Lemon Quinoa with Lentils and Tahini Basil Cream

02 February 2015

This recipe is vegan friendly and will satisfy just about any palette. The creaminess of the tahini basil cream coupled with lentils and quinoa makes for the perfect grain salad. A must try!

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Quinoa

1 ½ cups Green lentils

1 ½ cups Asparagus –

3 Zucchini – sliced in rounds

3 large Leeks - 1 large

Dressing

4 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Tamari (A healthy wheat free soy sauce)

Juice of 2 lemons

1 tsp maple syrup/raw honey

Tahini Basil Cream

4 tbsp. tahini

1 tbsp. hummus (if store bought check ingredients)

1 large handful basil leaves

1 tbsp. Olive Oil

1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Juice of 1 lemon or Lime

2 tsp. xylitol/stevia or raw honey

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180⁰C

Step 1:

Start by cooking the Quinoa & Lentils.

In two separate pans add the dry ingredients.

Then add 3 cups of water to the Quinoa and 5 cups of water to the green lentils.

Bring both to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.

They will both take between 15-20 minutes to cook.

If once they absorb all the water they are still not completely cooked, feel free to add a little more water.

Step 2:

Next slice zucchini and place on a roasting tray drizzled with olive.

Roast for around 20-25 minutes.

Step 3:

Remove hard ends off the asparagus and chop into chunks

Thinly slice leek.

Steam until perfectly soft!

Step 4:

Next make the Tahini cream by adding all ingredients to food processor and blend until smooth.

Step 5:

Mix dressing, by simply combining all ingredients together!

To Compile:

Place quinoa, lentils, asparagus, zucchini & leek into a serving bowl. Add the dressing and toss until completely coated. Serve hot, or cold - with a side of the Tahini-basil cream.

Bon Appetite!

Yours in Health Always,

Cara-Lisa

xoxo